They are installed by the dealer only if the state requires it. You don't have an option if the state requires it. You will be ticketed even by parking enforcement if you don't have a front license plate and sent to inspection. It happened to me in California. For some reason, the previous owner had not installed the front license plate. Perhaps because the original owner was from Florida and he never installed it when he brought the car to California and got California license plates. Georgia, too, didn't have front license plates. This is handy for tailgaters. Japan Priuses have a button on the car that lets you take the photos of the front license plates of the cars tailgating you and immediately and automatically report them to the police over the cellular network.
If it's color matched plate bracket, why is it a different shape and size than the one photoed above? Plates are taller; their bottom edge is lower than the mount's in the photos I posted. They must have done the photoshopping in this video too.
That is not the right license-plate aspect ratio for Japan, US, or EU. In that case, this is only a nonfunctional ornament added for car shows etc. Moreover, the production front bumper cover has a different shape than in the video.
Take a look at any of the US YouTube videos from 3 months ago when they first showed the new models such as Alex on Autos video. It and the others clearly show the Japan style plate mount area on the fro
Japan and US plates have about the same aspect ratio; so, it doesn't match the Japan or US plates or the EU plates.
This wouldn't make sense as it is longer than the Japan and US plates and therefore would bulge from the sides. It is not a European mount either (see the picture below). In any case, it is a moot issue, as the production front bumper cover has a different shape than in this video, such as different lips, and does not have this.
Comparing the video and the actual pic here, it seems to be longer than both the US and Japan plates and would bulge from the sides. Moreover, it sits deeper than the bumper-cover lip below it, and it wouldn't quite work as a result, as the plate would hit the lip and sit at an angle. Note that this lip is gone in the production front bumper cover. These could simply be ornaments for car shows then. They can't be intended for production because they lack holes with metal clips for the threads. They don't seem to be molded on the bumper cover but to be a separate piece installed on the bumper cover. In any case, it is a rather moot issue.
The bumper lip in the video with my screenshot appears different. It appears to protrude under the plate holder. However, that could appear so because the plate holder is thinner. It appears to have a painted plate holder screwed on over the lip. The yellow Prius in your picture has a regular black plate holder screwed on instead, and the lip does not appear to protrude under the plate holder. I doubt they are molded into the bumper cover. It would be hard to mold something like that in front of a bumper cover. Bumper covers have very simple shapes. My best guess: They installed blank plates on the plate holders and then painted them over so that they would look good in showrooms and promotional videos. Here is the pic of the regular Prius from the same LA auto show. The blank license plate attached to the holder is also painted over, and you can barely see the screws under the paint. So, in fact, they probably took a can of spray paint and painted over the license-plate holder, blank license plate, and screws so that it would look good in the showrooms. All this is is a moot issue.
I love my old 2011 Prius a lot but needed to replace it. So, why not go for another Prius since it was so reliable for 11+ years. Picked up my new 2023 Prius LE AWD on 3/15. Here’s some side by side compare. I didn’t park both cars exactly side by side. Heard about no spare tire, so I kept one from my old car. The gear is different so that was getting used to like lots of things. The car is lower and lost head space. I like sitting higher, so I hit my head on the way out, but seat can be lowered. I didn’t want the AWD option but in New England, Toyota is only sending this option. It’s slightly less gas efficient, but I guess safer in the winter. No fold down armrest for rear passenger and one one side has back pocket from front passenger seat. There is a shortage on the key fob so the spare will be issued as a recall. I did get a spare key without the fob in addition. No wiper for rear window and view is much more restrictive. But, the additional safety feature for blind spots in the side mirrors made up for that. I feel like I am complaining, but used Prius inventory was selling above MSRP so why not try the newest thing?
Thanks! Great comparison pics!! I will get my midnight-black 2023 Prius Prime SE as early as May. Did they forget to install the rear license-plate mount? See the pic in the previous page. What are the recommended tire pressures on the tire placard? Could you post a close-up of the tire and wheel? Could you post some seat pics? Does the taillight light bar light?
Thank you! I took photos when the salesperson was transferring my plate from old to new car. But, thanks for watching out as it’s probably something I would do! I really wanted the black as well, but will take what I can get at that point. Included some photos of the interior. It’s black seats but the interior lights make it look lighter reflecting. I left the lights on inside the car so it isn’t too dark to see. Taillight was a disappointment. I thought it would light up the bar, but maybe because my is the LE model so it doesn’t. There’s one without brake and one with brake lights. The tires are the basic ones too with 17 in. alloy wheels with wheel covers. See placard photo for tire pressure specs.
The opening across the bottom was 34.5 inches. I can grab a better photo tomorrow during day light. With my old Prius, I carried IKEA furniture and Pier1 Import bed board, even large plywood. Diagonally the opening is much smaller compared to the previous generation 3.
FYI, keeping your old spare was a mistake. The bolt spacing on the gen5 is different than the gen3(114mm instead of 100mm). Just don't want you to find out the hard way.
Thanks for the pics! Fabric seats are looking great, and the smaller-display size looks plenty! Hubcaps are nice and futuristic, I think. It is interesting that they have both Toyo and Bridgestone tires on the LE. Could you check if the maximum cold pressure is 51 psi on the Bridgestone as well?
Thanks for educating me. Didn’t think that was an issue. Oh well, I guess I have to look into a spare into the future. I have had to use mine in the past. I do like the color, just wish the center armrest was there like it indicated in the specs. Not sure if you will have the 17 or 19 in wheels so I included both here. It’s 36 psi for front and 35 psi for rear on the 17. The opening measures 45 inches diagonally and here is the photo on the 34.5 width.